Epi-pen refills

1. You may have to answer a few questions about symptoms to help us prepare for your visit prior to scheduling your appointment.

2. Check-in varies depending on how you scheduled your appointment:

   If you made your appointment online:
   Check in using the email or text message we sent to confirm your appointment. If you prefer to check in using the electronic kiosk, make sure you have your confirmation code.

   If you made your appointment in the clinic:
   Sign in at the electronic kiosk.

   If you made a MinuteClinic Virtual Care® appointment:
   To join your virtual visit, use the link in the email or text message we sent you to confirm your appointment. Please join 15 minutes before your scheduled visit time. You will need your date of birth and zip code to join the visit.

3. When it's time for your appointment, a provider will call your name.
4. Your provider will conduct a thorough examination based on your reason for visit, presenting symptoms and health history. Charges will be based on examination and services provided during the visit.
5. At the end of your visit, you are provided with a visit summary, receipt and educational material about your diagnosis. At your request, we can send your primary care provider information about your visit.

Allergy symptoms occur when the immune system detects a substance that’s harmless to most people but triggers an overreaction in people sensitive to it. That substance is called an allergen.

The immune system produces antibodies that alert for that specific allergen. When exposed again, the antibodies can trigger the release of immune system chemicals like histamine. This produces allergy symptoms.

Depending on the allergen involved, symptoms can affect airways, sinus and nasal passages, skin and the digestive system. They can range from mild to severe.

The most prevalent cause of anaphylaxis in the United States, outside of the hospital setting, is food related. Common allergy triggers include:

• Airborne allergens: Including mold, animal dander, dust mites and pollen
• Certain foods: Particularly peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish
• Insect stings: From insects such as bees or wasps
• Latex or other materials: On contact, can trigger allergic skin reaction
• Medications: Particularly penicillin or penicillin-based antibiotics

A MinuteClinic provider can review your or your child’s medical history, verify the documentation and refill your prescription. They can also answer any questions you might have about this medicine.

Over-the-counter allergy remedies such as antihistamines are an inadequate substitute for adrenaline when treating anaphylaxis. They cannot save your life or that of your child, as they do not reverse swelling of the airways or raise low blood pressure.

Allergists advise all patients with food allergies to carry their epinephrine auto-injector with them at all times. It is critical for those who have had a previous anaphylactic reaction and have an allergy to fish, peanuts, shellfish or tree nuts.

Patients should always have 2 doses available. This is in case a severe reaction reoccurs and repeated doses of epinephrine become necessary. If you had a history of acute allergic response, take epinephrine as soon as you suspect you’ve eaten an allergy-causing food or if an allergic reaction is starting. A delay in using epinephrine is a common cause of death in severe food allergic reactions.

Even if you have doubts about whether or not the severity of a reaction calls for epinephrine, use it right away. The safety benefits of epinephrine far outweigh the risk of an unnecessary dose. After injecting, call 911 immediately and tell the dispatcher that you used epinephrine. The emergency responders will be prepared to give additional treatments if necessary.